My beloved RVCA has started her special time. It started 7-10 days ago. In the last few days it has started to smell. It isn't bad but if she isn't bathed every other day it is pretty stinky. Keep in mind I don't know what "normal" is. I've only ever had males. She needs to be fixed, we just moved and I don't know any good vets in the southern Utah/Vegas area. RVCA sleeps cuddled up to me every night. She is a great dog, please advise, IS THIS NORMAL? Should I worry about smell? Does smell mean in heat or infection?

Generally the best time to spay her would be about 2 weeks after she finishes her cycle. That way there aren't the added risks associated with an in heat spay, and you catch her before her hormones (potentially) send her into a false pregnancy. That is what every vet I have worked for suggests.

Just make sure you watch her outside constantly. In heat females are escape artists, and males (think neighborhood dogs) can smell an in heat female several (I think it 3-5) miles away. Basically no alone time... Ever. Don't think a fence will stop anything.